Surname Gilley - Meaning and Origin
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iGENEA DNA Test: Unravelling History & Emotional revelations of the Surname 'Gilley'
Unravelling centuries of family history with an iGENEA DNA test, the person dissects the mysteries and deep emotional impacts of tracing their ancestral lineage and the origins of the surname 'Gilley'.
X. Gilley
read moreGilley: What does the surname Gilley mean?
The surname Gilley is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the personal name Giles or Gille. Giles is a name of Medieval English origin, meaning "young goat" or "shield." Similarly, Gille is of old French origin that means "shield bearer."
The name could also be a locational name for someone who lived in an area that resembled a "gill", which in northern English topographical terms, refers to a ravine or a narrow valley. In some cases, the surname Gilley may be an alteration of the surnames Gill or Gilly.
During the era when surnames were starting to be used, it was common to derive them from the name of a person's father, their occupation, their location, or even a descriptive nickname. In some cases, multiple origins might have coalesced into a single surname, which is likely true for the surname "Gilley."
It's important to note that surnames had different spelling versions as the English language changed over centuries and people often spelled names as they sounded. Variations of the surname Gilley include Gilly, Gilley, Gyley, Giley, Gyllie, etc.
Order DNA origin analysisGilley: Where does the name Gilley come from?
The surname Gilley is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the ancient personal name Gisel, meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage' in Old French. It was likely used as a nickname or occupational name for a guarantor and was probably delivered to someone who served a purpose related to security or assurance tasks.
The Gilley surname is common in England due to its Anglo-Saxon roots. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Johanna Gylle, dated around 1379, in the "Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire," during the reign of King Richard II of England.
While the surname has spread globally over centuries, it remains commonly found in English-speaking countries today, such as the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. There can be variations in the spelling of the last name, including Gillet, Gillot, Gillott, and others, depending on the region and local interpretation of the name. Famous personalities with this surname include country music artists Mickey Gilley and Johnny Lee Gilley, further contributing to the surname's popularity in the United States.
Variations of the surname Gilley
The surname Gilley is of Irish origin and has many potential variants and alternative spellings. Some of these include Gilley, Gille, Gilles, Gillee, Gyley, Gilly, and Gillie. Some sources suggest that the name could also be a variant of Gill or Gall, which have their own host of associated surname variants.
It is also worth noting that Gilley could be a version of the surname Gillett, derived from diminutive forms of the popular medieval personal names Giles or William. Gillett has many variants, too, like Gillet, Gilet or Gillett and is associated with the surname Gilbert.
Some variants for Giles may include Gyles, Jiles, and Jyles. For William, surname variants could range from Williams, Willey, Wills to Willis.
Further exploration of derivatives and geographical variations can extend the list of potential related surnames: some families may have adapted the name to fit local language or dialect, adding or subtracting letters over time, which all make tracking surname origins a complex process.
Famous people with the name Gilley
- Mickey Gilley: A renowned American country music singer and musician, also known for co-owning "Gilley's Club" that was featured in the 1980 movie Urban Cowboy.
- David Gilley: A famous Episcopal bishop in the United States.
- David Lynn Gilley: Known as an American musician, singer, and songwriter popular in the Country Music genre.
- Gerald Gilley: A noted Canadian ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League.
- S.J. Gilley: An acclaimed British physicist known for his contributions in the field of particle physics.
- June Gilley: A well-known American author of romantic fiction.
- Vivian Gilley: A recognized American public figure, mostly known as the wife of country music singer Mickey Gilley.
- Katie Gilley: An American author known for writing contemporary women fiction novels.
- Pascal Gilley: A recognized French footballer.
- Dan Gilley: A notable American author famous for his thriller and suspense novels. All these individuals have achieved prominence in their respective fields and have substantially contributed to society.